WRuCOS

Here we are at game 60, I think I last chimed in on this around the 40th game mark. Nothing has changed IMO. Rittich is very good when he's on, but I still don't understand, based on his numbers and history, why the coach, now even new coach, is so set on riding him so heavily. Talby at 44 save shutout...Rittich draws in the next game - not a back to back situation. Ride Talbot the next 6-7 games with a game off somewhere, unless he really fumbles. One thing very noticeable from Rittich, moreseo that Talbot, is he doesn't like the 7,8,9th dmen very much, yelling at them while looking the other way - It's in his head.

and if and when they do move on from Blashill....especially if its in the middle of next year....how about Mike Babcock?

Re: Gallant and "shelf life", not even George Steinbrenner's Yankees of yester century would fire Gallant at this point - it is absolutely ***anine. The only reason I can come up with for his firing now is maybe it's not about their current standing / recent play but also they believe he isn't as good of a tactician for big games, big playoff series - perhaps thinking that his coaching left something to be desired vs. Washington in the finals two years ago and SJ last year? Because his resume, Vegas only, is impeccable - Seattle will likely play five seasons without getting to the playoffs, Vegas is mad about being a potential Wild Card. Flames wise, hard to hire Gallant now, but if they limp into the all-star break, come out with losses to STL and the Oilers - then they could certainly entertain the move.

All Galant did, was take an expansion team to the Stanley Cup final his first season, get absolutely robbed / jobbed by a SJ powerplay in his second playoffs, and today with 30+ games to go have his team in a Wild Card spot. Florida also made the mistake of firing him, before eventually needing to fire his successor for coach Q. I don't normally suggest making coaching changes, for the sake of change. But to get someone like Gallant - it would be tempting. Do you wait to see if Ward can win a round or 2 or do you contact Gallant now and see if he's wanting to jump back in this season. Three coaches in one season, may be a little much, the problem is that in the off-season there will be a bidding war for his services (possibly Colorado, Dallas, Vancouver, plus Eastern Conference teams that underachieve in the post-season).

I agree to a point, but Geoff Ward made an interesting comment when he took over, discussing Peters and the goalie situation. He said something to the effect that Peters never offered a plan of how the goalies would be used to him. I think that Peters going with the guy he trusted and I feel like Ward doesn't have that same stout loyalty. Talby was shaky in a few games, but it's hard to sit for 5 and come in for 1 (on a back to back) when your team is tired. Rittich has been who we thought him to be and that's fine, now it's time to see what / who Talby is, but hopefully they won't do the 5 -1 the other way and keep both goalies in the mix.

Is the sky falling? Or is there light at the end of the tunnel? (Glass half full / half empty) Western Conference, I thought it showed from the playoffs last year that St. Louis, Colorado and Dallas were going to be tough this year. Outside of Dallas poor start - that has been true. The good news is that Las Vegas (from my view) has been worse than expected and I'm quite shocked to see where they are in the standings right now, tbh. IF, we can get the 2nd or 3rd seed in the Pacific, two of those central teams will be dead and buried by the beginning of round 3 and the last one standing, will have had to go through one or two of those teams just to get to the Western Conference final (tough series). As the Flames are currently built, we are in contention and good enough to get into the playoffs. An addition of a player is a must and if they contribute on arrival - we should be a 2nd or 3rd seed. Outside of Vegas, mainly because of Stone, no one scares me in the Pacific, even with the Coyotes getting Hall. I think Ward has pushed the right buttons since taking over, which mainly has been getting the players back to having fun during practice - I don't know if he will become a HOF coach, but I think the generation of players coming up are different and need more hand-holding and mentorship vs. Iron Mike / Iron Fist. If Tre is able to get a forward or two to bolster the offense, I think its fair to expect Ward wins a round or two in this post-season, if they don't improve the roster, I don't know what Laviollette etc. would be able to do, but I would not be opposed to the attempt at a coach with pedigree coming in to take over this core at the end of the year.

I'm totally onboard with playing the hot hand right now and I like Rittich, but never understood the insane loyalty and over use the first half of this season. Ben Bishop (better numbers everything) has play less than Rittich and it's not like we have some unproven backup from the KHL on our roster, because we went out and overpaid for two forwards to get us some scoring help.... Talby should be motivated after the last 2 years in Edmonton, he's got a real chance here to be the 1b (35 games) and if he plays above expectation, should even become 1a (45 games). There are very few Carey Price type goalies left in this league - in actuality not even Carey Price is Carey Price anymore.

Lots of big decisions coming, I think we have to focus not on next year, but the year (and following years) afterwards. This will be the time when our core matures, but still remains slightly less noticeable as they will still be very young. The debate on the Fan960 today was we are the Blackhawks of 5 years ago, they added Marion Hossa, stirred, and cups started landing on their door steps. Honestly, if Bennett can be a Centre for the 2nd line, relegating Backlund to 3rd line (checking only duties) I think Bennett then needs only a power forward with scoring and size for this team to be complete. Our defense wasn't strong enough vs. ANA, but is more comparable with a healthy Gio. Bouma can add grit, but we need it on the top 2 lines. Backlund and Bouma are wonderful, but they are not 2nd line players on a top team. A 30 year old Iginla type player (not many of those floating around) makes this team a lot better in a quick hurry. Finding these fixes won't be easy.

I don't think the flames as a whole have been calm in this series. It's fairly evident that the Ducks are bigger, faster and better everywhere, but that doesn't mean a whole lot if they don't utilize it. Flames are getting better with each game in this series and with that, Anaheim less confident. Should be a great game #4! Hoping Ramo can hold the fort, I don't think Hiller is any better at this point.

I think Ramo is still the better goalie vs. Hiller, but the "happy feet" criticism is very valid. He needs to work on his positioning and over work on easier saves.

Year 2 of a rebuild, I don't want our team 'blessed' with an elite goalie. Had this for hundreds of years with Kipper and it changes the culture of the team, even without intending to. I like that this team finds itself down 3-4 goals and is forced to create on offense, this is great for future development.

Backlund and Bouma can be good on a future 3rd line, if the price is right. I watched Jooris play a tremendous shutdown roll last night and he has a bit more offensive flair. As said, we know Bennett is coming, so room will have to be made for Monahan and Bennett at center, the rest should be a numbers game.